MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Boys Basketball Rankings

It was another week of the area's best teams winning lots of games, yet there was one result that certainly made things tough.

No. 2 Loyola got spanked by Chaminade by a 73-61 score in league play, yet the Cubs will stay at the second spot. Yes, that sounds strange, but Loyola has wins over most of the teams below it. In reality the way to deal with the situation was to bump Chaminade all the way up to No. 3. See below why Chaminade is still below Loyola.

Next week's rankings will come out on Tuesday due to many Martin Luther King Jr. Day events on Monday.

Be sure to visit the California rankings page, and the metro pages for the Fresno area, Los Angeles area and San Diego area.


1. (1 last week) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 16-0
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 1 state, 2 national, 2 Xcellent 25

Another week of winning basketball was the theme for the Monarchs. They opened Trinity League play with wins over Santa Margarita (71-49) and Orange Lutheran (65-48). The Santa Margarita game was a topsy-turvy affair that only saw MD up by one point entering the fourth quarter. They led 19-10 after one period, but it was tied at the half. A 27-6 fourth quarter was the big difference, and M.J. Cage pulled in eight rebounds to go with 18 points. This week features a Wednesday home game against St. John Bosco, a road trip to Servite Friday and a huge game at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., against Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), No. 18 in the national computer rankings.

2. (2) Loyola (Los Angeles), 14-1
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 2 state, 3 national, 22 Xcellent 25

The Cubs finally lost one. Chaminade took them down 73-61 in a league contest that wasn't even as close as the score indicated, as Loyola trailed by 27 entering the fourth quarter. But you can't take the Cubs down in the rankings, for a few reasons. First is they beat Chaminade by 20 earlier this year, second is they destroyed Centennial by 21 and they also own wins over Sierra Canyon, Compton and Cantwell-Sacred Heart. So rather than punishing Loyola, we will reward Chaminade. By the way, Loyola faces St. Francis on Friday.

3. (11) Chaminade (West Hills), 13-1
Classification: Southern (3A)
Ranks: 6 state, 21 national

With all due respect to the teams that the Eagles leapfrogged, this might be the biggest jump in the rankings this year and it's truly earned. Not only did Chaminade end Loyola's 14-0 start, but they knocked the snot out of the Cubs. Chaminade beat Loyola and Loyola whacked Centennial earlier this year, so for right now Chaminade is No. 3. Jack Williams scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Trevor Stanback had 12 and 13. Loyola still stays ahead of Chaminade due to the split between these teams and a better overall body of work.

4. (3) Centennial (Corona), 12-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 5 state, 19 national

The Huskies didn't play. They go to Norco on Wednesday and King (Riverside) on Friday.

5. (4) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 12-3
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 10 state, 49 national

The Sea Hawks didn't play, either. Next up is a home game with Palos Verdes Peninsula Tuesday and another home contest against Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach) Friday.

6. (5) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 14-1
Classification: Southern (4AA)
Ranks: 4 state, 15 national

The Knights secured their second win of the season over Narbonne, this time by a 56-51 count. They will head to St. Bernard (Playa del Rey) Wednesday.

7. (7) Etiwanda, 14-3
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 9 state, 42 national

The Eagles took out Los Osos 69-56. They host Alta Loma Tuesday and go to Rancho Cucamonga Friday before facing King (Riverside) at the Azusa Pacific Shootout Saturday.

8. (8) Westchester (Los Angeles), 13-4
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 7 state, 24 national

The Comets romped over Sheldon (Sacramento) Saturday in Cerritos, 77-55. League play heats up this week with a home contest Wednesday against Venice and a road trip to Palisades Friday.

9. (9) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 12-2
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 8 state, 36 national

The Cardinals won 52-44 over Sunnyslope (Phoenix) in the Cavalier Classic. Coach George Zedan chose Andrew Martinez as the player of the game, stepping in for an injured starter and scoring 16 points against one of Arizona's better teams. They go to St. Paul Wednesday and host Cathedral Friday before battling Serra Saturday in a showcase.

10. (10) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 11-5
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 15 state, 92 national

The Braves grabbed three victories in three tries, and that makes their record a lot more indicative of how talented they are. Bosco started Trinity League play with a 51-39 win over Servite and then won 76-73 over JSerra Catholic. They were down five at halftime against JSerra and down one entering the fourth but won the home contest. They also won 63-48 against Modesto Christian on Saturday. Now comes some serious trouble: A trip to Mater Dei for a Wednesday game and a trip to the Spalding Hoophall Classic for a Saturday game in Massachusetts against St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

11. (12) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 11-4
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 21 state, 135 national

The Conquistadors were off this past week. They go to Chatsworth and Birmingham this week in league play.

12. (13) Mayfair (Lakewood), 12-5
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 29 state, 199 national

The Monsoons got on a nice roll this past week, winning three games. In league play they dispatched La Mirada 68-57 and Norwalk 62-59, then took down Muir 65-51 at a weekend showcase. Kendall Small came up huge with the Norwalk win with 29 points and the team swiped 11 steals. They went to Glenn Monday night, face Bellflower on Wednesday and host Cerritos Friday.

13. (14) Compton, 12-3
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 17 state, 101 national

The Tarbabes recovered just fine after letting a win against Loyola slip away previously, as they won 74-55 over Lakewood in a Moore League opener. According to Gazettes.com, a 25-0 run gave Compton plenty of breathing room but Lakewood fought back with a 24-8 run. Robert Lewis scored 23 points for Compton, which faced Millikan Monday and goes to Long Beach Poly on Wednesday.

14. (6) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 15-2
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 18 state, 112 national

The Trailblazers fell out of the Xcellent 25 thanks to a 56-55 nonleague loss to Price (Los Angeles) in a Saturday game. The LA Times reports that Price hit a shot with less than three seconds remaining to win it. They did beat Viewpoint (Calabasas) earlier in the week by a 75-47 count.

15. (15) Chino Hills, 11-4
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 13 state, 67 national

The Huskies beat Renaissance Academy 68-36 and saw their computer ranking take a nice jump. Things will get a little tougher with league contests this week with a Wednesday game at South Hills and a Friday home game with Charter Oak.

16. (16) JW North (Riverside), 15-1
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 20 state, 141 national

The Huskies may be the hottest team around in terms of a winning streak, as they are unblemished after losing the season opener by forfeit. A 69-56 win over Valley View in league play started their week, then they blew out Quest Preparatory of Las Vegas by a 70-24 score over the weekend. The Valley View win was a one-point lead at the half before JW North got rolling. Deshon Taylor scored 25 points with eight rebounds. Road games at Rancho Verde and Poly (Riverside) await this week.

17. (17) St. Augustine (San Diego), 14-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 11 state, 51 national

The Saints didn't play, but hold the top spot in the U-T San Diego poll still. It is by a very slim margin over Mater Dei Cathoic, but nonetheless it's looking like the claim of top team in the area is theirs to lose. St. Augustine will go to La Jolla Tuesday and then host Lincoln (San Diego) on Friday.

18. (18) Long Beach Poly, 11-6
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 19 state, 127 national

The Jackrabbits got back on track after a tough stretch, edging Millikan 72-70 and Jordan 66-52 in league play. Millikan had a chance for a putback that would have ended Poly's 50-game league win streak, according to Gazettes.com, but came up just short. The story states that Jordan Dallas and Devon Edmonds combined for 26 points and Kameron Murrell knocked down 12 of his 14 attempts at the free throw line. They won 91-50 at Cabrillo (Long Beach) Monday night and host Compton Wednesday before battling De La Salle (Concord) in an MLK event Monday at Cal in Berkeley.

19. (19) El Toro (Lake Forest), 15-2
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 31 state, 205 national

The Chargers beat Tesoro 54-39 in league play in a game where they had a four-point lead to begin the fourth quarter. They go to Mission Viejo Wednesday and host Dana Hills Friday.

20. (20) Rancho Cucamonga, 15-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 34 state, 246 national

The Cougars moved their winning streak to nine in a row thanks to a 63-53 league triumph over Upland, the first time Upland has lost at home this season. They have home games against Los Osos and Etiwanda this week in league play, and on Monday face Citrus Valley (Redlands) in an MLK showcase.

21. (22) Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 14-2
Classification: San Diego (II)
Ranks: 47 state, 355 national

The Crusaders are still second in the U-T San Diego poll by a tiny margin, and they've kept up with St. Augustine. They beat Bishop's 54-42 and Rancho Christian 58-55. The Rancho Christian win came after trailing by nine points at halftime. Mission Bay is next on the schedule for a Saturday date.

22. (23) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 15-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 22 state, 146 national

The Mavericks are also keeping up in the U-T San Diego poll, as they beat Centennial (Compton) 65-40 behind 15 points from Brady Twombly. Torrey Pines is scheduled for Friday but the huge one is a matchup with St. Augustine on Monday.

23. (24) Central (Fresno), 10-3
Classification: Central (I)
Ranks: 38 state, 227 national

The Grizzlies beat Edison (Fresno) 73-58 in a thorough effort. They go to Bullard (Fresno) on Friday and then face Sheldon (Sacramento) on Saturday.

24. (25) Damien (La Verne), 13-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 42 state, 296 national

The Spartans had the week off.

25. (NR) Sonora (La Habra), 14-3
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 35 state, 250 national

The Raiders move in to the rankings thanks to Canyon (Anaheim) losing to Esperanza. This squad is No. 2 in the OC Register's poll and the LA Times has them at No. 20. They have won 11 of 12 games and will host Troy Wednesday and Fullerton Friday.

Dropped out: No. 21 Canyon (Anaheim)